Spill resistant feeding device

ABSTRACT

A spill resistant item of cutlery, the spill resistant item of cutlery being flexible and having a longitudinally extending elongate member that includes a tubular retaining portion proximate a first end thereof and a gripping portion having a rigid inner portion and a flexible outer portion proximate a second end opposing the first end. In the arrangement of the invention, the tubular retaining portion has an interior retaining surface defining a retaining portion cavity, and the tubular retaining portion further includes a food inlet in fluid communication with the retaining portion cavity. The spill resistant item of cutlery provides an apparatus and assistance member for assisted and self-feeding.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of PCT Application No.PCT/GB2020/052534 filed on Oct. 9, 2020, entitled Spill ResistantFeeding Device, which claims the benefit to GB 1914686.0, filed on Oct.10, 2019 and GB 2006167.7 filed on Apr. 27, 2020, all of which areincorporated herein by reference in their entireties.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to an item of cutlery that can be used forassisted feeding of a child, such as a toddler, or an individual havinglimited dexterity.

BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION

For individuals with limited dexterity or difficulty with fine motorskills, eating semi liquid food (e.g. purees) with a conventional spooncan be challenging as the food easily falls from the spoon before itreaches the mouth. For example, infants in the early stage of weaningwill want to grab the loaded spoon but are likely to wave it around,causing food to fly off in all directions and limiting the food reachingthe mouth. As a result, carers tend to prevent the child from grabbingthe spoon. This slows down the child's development of independentself-feeding skills. Even when the carer is holding the spoon, the childoften knocks it and food falls off. Similarly, for many elderly people,or people with limited dexterity, spoon feeding can be frustrating andmessy, necessitating intervention from the carer, which can be damagingto the individual's sense of independence and self-respect.

Current solutions include using food pouches to feed, for example, youngchildren. These food pouches are provided with a short straw mouthpiece,through which the semi-liquid food is sucked out of the pouch. The pouchcan be squeezed to help the child's suckling efforts, allowing for afeeding method that has very little mess. However, such food pouches donot solve the issue of developing the child's dexterity in addition tonormal self-feeding spoon skills. Furthermore, the food is delivered tothe back of the child's mouth, thus skipping the crucial steps of thechild opening its mouth to accept the spoon into the oral cavity,closing the lips to draw the bolus of food from the spoon andtransmitting the bolus form the front to the back of the mouth, furtherinhibiting the child's development of self-feeding skills.

Another solution involves straw spoons, wherein a straw has an openspoon element as a result of a longitudinal cut. However, when wavedaround, food loaded on to the spoon element will readily spill.Therefore, there remains an issue with the mess caused by the lack ofappropriate feeding instruments.

It is therefore desirable to provide a solution which overcomes thedisadvantages of the current feeding implements.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In accordance with the present invention, there is provided a spillresistant item of cutlery, the spill resistant item of cutlerycomprising: a longitudinally extending elongate member having; a tubularretaining portion proximate a first end thereof; and a gripping portionproximate a second end opposing the first end. The tubular retainingportion comprises an interior retaining surface defining a retainingportion cavity. The tubular retaining portion further comprises a foodinlet in fluid communication with the retaining portion cavity.

The spill resistant item of cutlery will be further understood as beingany implement suitable for feeding.

The tubular retaining portion of the present invention preferablydefines the retaining portion cavity such that the retaining portioncavity is tubular in shape. The skilled addressee will appreciate thatthe tubular description describes the present invention only. Inadditional embodiments, the tubular retaining portion comprises a volumehaving a cross sectional shape that is any of square, rectangular,ovular, circular or any shape that is appropriate for the functionalityof the present invention. It is preferable that the tubular retainingportion cavity is of adequate volume so as to fit a food item in. If thetubular retaining portion were too small, then the food items would notbe able to enter the retaining portion cavity. On the other hand, if thetubular retaining portion were too large, then food items would easilyexit the retaining portion cavity.

In some embodiments, a radius of the cross-sectional shape of thetubular retaining portion varies along a longitudinal axis. Preferably,the radius increases along a first portion of the longitudinal axis anddecreases along a second portion of the longitudinal axis such that thetubular retaining portion is substantially tear-drop or balloon shaped.Advantageously, the tubular retaining portion comprises a defined areaon which a user may apply lip pressure.

In some embodiments, the tubular retaining portion comprises an indent.Preferably, the indent is located at an upper portion of the tubularretaining portion. Further preferably, the indent extends longitudinallyalong the tubular retaining portion.

In preferable embodiments, the tubular retaining portion comprises atubular retaining portion material that allows for adequate compressionsuch that food items are able to exit the retaining portion cavity whenthe tubular retaining portion is compressed. Preferably, the tubularretaining portion material is a flexible material. More preferably, thetubular retaining portion material is a flexible material that willreturn to its original shape after compression. Still more preferably,the tubular retaining portion material comprises a resilientlydeformable material. In some embodiments, the tubular retaining portionmaterial comprises silicone. Further embodiments will be appreciated bythe skilled addressee wherein the tubular retaining portion materialcomprises any flexible material that allows for the compression of thetubular retaining portion. Advantageously, such an arrangement allowsfor greater ease of extracting food items as, in addition to suction,the tubular retaining portion can be squeezed (compressed) in order forfood items to leave the retaining portion cavity.

In preferable embodiments, the interior retaining surface comprises aplurality of elevations. The plurality of elevations will be understoodby the skilled addressee to be any suitably shaped elevation extendingfrom the interior retaining surface into the retaining portion cavity.Preferably, the plurality of elevations is arranged to maximise surfaceadhesion between a food item present in the tubular retaining portionand the interior retaining surface. Additional embodiments may beenvisaged wherein the tubular retaining portion comprises a pleat. Arequirement for greater surface adhesion will require a greater surfacearea of the interior retaining surface, the surface area beingproportional to the surface area of the plurality of elevations. It ispreferable for the surface adhesion to be of sufficient magnitude suchthat the food items present in the tubular retaining portion are biasedtowards remaining within the tubular retaining portion. It is alsopreferable that the surface adhesion is not too great as to inhibit anyattempt to remove the food item from the tubular retaining portion via,for example, suction.

In preferable embodiments, the plurality of elevations or protrusionscomprises a plurality of longitudinal protrusions or ribs. In preferableembodiments the plurality of longitudinal protrusions will be understoodto extend along the interior retaining surface longitudinally. In otherembodiments, the plurality of protrusions comprises a plurality ofprotrusions extending in any direction along the interior retainingsurface.

In some embodiments, one or more of the plurality of longitudinalprotrusions comprise a height substantially greater than the otherlongitudinal protrusions.

Preferably, the food inlet is proximate an anterior end of the tubularretaining portion. In preferable embodiments, the anterior end opposesan anterior end longitudinally. Preferably, the food inlet is arrangedsuch that fluids and/or semi-fluids are able to enter or exit theretaining portion cavity via the food inlet. In preferable embodiments,the food inlet forms part of the tubular retaining portion and maximisesfluid communication between the tubular retaining portion cavity and anarea beyond the food inlet. The physical shape of the food inlet maypreferably match the cross section of the retaining portion cavitywhich, in preferable embodiments, is ovular. However, other embodimentsexist wherein the food inlet has a circular, square, rectangular or anyother shape that allows for food items to enter the tubular retainingportion. Preferably, the food inlet is arranged to minimise protrusionsfrom the cavity wall proximate the food inlet. Advantageously, such anarrangement reduces the build-up of food items that may occur if a lipprotruded from the tubular retaining portion surface.

In some embodiments, the food inlet may comprise a smaller radius thanthe cross section of the retaining portion cavity.

In preferable embodiments, the food inlet may be planar and may bechosen to extend at an angle longitudinally, the angle being, forexample, 30 degrees. As a result, the food inlet may have a varyingoffset along an axis perpendicular to the longitudinal axis.Advantageously, such a shape may assist in transmitting the food itemsinto the tubular retaining portion.

Preferably, the spill resistant item of cutlery further comprises an airvent. In preferable embodiments, the air vent or hole is arranged toallow air to exit the retaining portion cavity as food is entering.Advantageously, the air vent reduces the potential build-up of pressurethat would otherwise oppose food items entering the retaining portioncavity. In further preferred embodiments, the air vent is arranged influid communication with the tubular retaining portion cavity.Advantageously, such an embodiment allows for the tubular retainingportion cavity to be easily cleaned as cleaning fluids are able to enterthe retaining portion cavity via the food inlet and exit via the airvent or vice versa.

In some embodiments, the air vent may comprise a valve configured toalternate the air vent between an open configuration and a closedconfiguration.

Preferably, the air vent is proximate the posterior end of the tubularretaining portion such that the air vent opposes the food inlet. The airvent can be located at other locations along the gripping portion orhandle of the feeding device or spoon.

In some embodiments, the shape of the air vent is ovular. In furtherembodiments, the shape of the air vent is circular, square, rectangularor any other shape that suitably allows for the air vent's function.

In some embodiments, the air vent extends in an angled orientation. Thatis, the air vent extends at an angle, relative to the longitudinal axis,from the tubular retaining portion to an exterior. Preferably, the angleis between 15° and 75°. Preferably, the angle of air vent is greaterthan the angle of the food inlet. Consequently, food items may be lesslikely to stick to, and block the air vent. Alternatively, the air ventmay extend from the anterior end of the tubular retaining portion to theposterior end of the tubular retaining portion such.

In some embodiments, the spill resistant item of cutlery furthercomprises a cuff proximate the air vent. Preferably, the cuff comprisesan indent configured to allow air flow between the air vent and anexterior. Preferably, the cuff comprises a depth configured, in use, toallow air flow between the air vent and the exterior. Advantageously,the cuff may prevent a build-up of negative pressure when a user appliessuction to the spill resistant item of cutlery. Further advantageously,the cuff may provide an increased robustness to the spill resistant itemof cutlery. Alternatively, the spill resistant item of cutlery maycomprise a flange configured to envelop a portion of the outer surfaceof the spill resistant item of cutlery.

In further embodiments, the tubular retaining portion comprises an upperportion and a lower portion. Preferably, the upper portion is separatedfrom the lower portion by a pair of opposing longitudinally extendingindents. Preferably, the indents extend from the anterior end of thetubular retaining portion to the posterior end of the tubular retainingportion. Additional embodiments exist wherein the indents partiallyextend from the anterior end to the posterior end. Additionalembodiments exist wherein there are a plurality of longitudinal indents.Advantageously, the pair of opposing indents may allow for an expansionof the tubular retaining portion, thereby allowing for a larger volumeof foodstuff to be accommodated.

n some embodiments, the tubular retaining portion comprises alongitudinally extending tine. The tine may advantageously increase thesurface area in contact with a food item present in the tubularretaining portion, thereby increasing the surface adhesion andincreasing the likelihood that the food items are retained in thetubular retaining portion.

Preferably, the tine protrudes from the posterior end and extends to theanterior end. Preferably, the tine extends longitudinally along a centreof the cross-sectional shape of the tubular retaining portion.Alternatively, the tine may extend longitudinally along any position ofthe cross-sectional shape.

In some embodiments, the tine extends half of a length of the tubularretaining portion such that a tip of the tine is proximate a center ofthe tubular retaining portion. Alternatively, the tine may extend anylength of the tubular retaining portion.

The tine may be tubular in shape such that the tine substantiallymatches the shape of the tubular retaining portion. A radius of the tinemay decrease from a base of the tine to the tip of the tine. Otherembodiments exist wherein the tine has any shape suitable for providinga surface area.

Preferably, the gripping portion further comprises an inner handlegripping portion and an outer gripping portion.

Preferably, the outer gripping portion encompasses the inner grippingportion.

In preferable embodiments, the gripping portion comprises the samematerial as the tubular retaining portion. Alternatively, the grippingportion comprises a different material.

Preferably, the gripping portion further comprises: a food retainingcavity comprising: a cavity volume; an anterior end; and a posteriorend.

In some embodiments, the inner handle portion and the tine constitute asingle unified structure. The unified structure may comprise a baseproximate the posterior end of the gripping portion. The unifiedstructure may extend longitudinally from the gripping portion to thetubular retaining portion. Advantageously, the unified structure may bemore robust and may be more straightforward to manufacture than if thetine were separate.

Preferably, the inner handle portion comprises the food retainingcavity. In this way, the food retaining cavity may be encompassed by theinner handle portion.

In a preferable embodiment, the food retaining cavity and the tubularretaining portion are provided in fluid communication. In this way, foodstuff stored in the food retaining cavity may be transported to theretaining portion cavity.

Preferably, the tubular retaining portion further comprises a firstconnection portion proximate the anterior end of the tubular retainingportion. Further preferably, the food retaining cavity further comprisesa second connection portion proximate the anterior end of the foodretaining cavity. In this way, the first connection portion and thesecond connection portion connect to facilitate the fluid communicationbetween the tubular retaining portion and the food retaining cavity.

Preferably, the tubular retaining portion comprises an attachment means,wherein the attachment means is configured to facilitate the attachmentand detachment of the tubular retaining portion from the grippingportion.

In some embodiments, the attachment means may be a screw closure. Inthis way, the tubular retaining portion may be attached to the grippingportion by twisting the tubular retaining portion about the screwclosure.

Further embodiments exist wherein the attachment means is any attachmentmeans suitable for facilitating the attachment of the tubular retainingportion to the gripping portion.

In some embodiments, the gripping portion further comprises a foodloading conduit proximate the posterior end of the food retainingcavity, arranged to facilitate the loading of food into the foodretaining cavity. In this way, food may be added to the food retainingcavity without detaching the tubular retaining portion.

Further embodiments exist wherein the food loading conduit is proximateany suitable part of the food retaining cavity suitable for facilitatingthe loading of food into the food retaining cavity.

Preferably, the food loading conduit is sealable. In this way, the foodstuff may be loaded into the food retaining cavity and may be unable toexit the food retaining cavity via the food loading conduit.

In preferable embodiments, the inner handle portion is made of a rigidmaterial such that the inner handle portion comprises a first materialand the outer gripping portion comprises a second material, whereinpreferably the rigidity of the first material is greater than therigidity of the second material.

Preferably, the first material is compressible. In this way, the cavityvolume may be altered and as a result, the food stuff present in thefood retaining cavity may be expelled into the tubular retaining portionvia the first connection portion and the second connection portion.

Preferably, the second material comprises a flexible material. In someembodiments, the second material is the same as the tubular retainingportion material. Additional embodiments will be appreciated by theskilled addressee wherein the second material comprises a differentmaterial to that of the tubular retaining portion material.Advantageously, the gripping portion is resistant to shear stress thatmay be introduced by a user of the spill resistant item of cutleryaccelerating or decelerating the spill resistant item of cutlery.

The above embodiments have been described with the tubular retainingportion having a single retaining portion cavity. However, additionalembodiments may be envisaged wherein the tubular retaining portioncomprises a plurality of retaining portion cavities. Each retainingportion cavity may be substantially similar. Alternatively, eachretaining portion cavity may be distinct. In such an embodiment, theretaining portion cavities may share the same food inlet. Alternatively,the retaining portion cavities may each comprise a food inlet.Similarly, the retaining portion cavities may share the same air vent ormay each comprise an air vent. Similarly, the retaining portion cavitiesmay each comprise a tine. Said plurality of retaining portion cavitiesmay advantageously improve food retention of the device.

Additional embodiments may be envisaged wherein the spill resistant itemof cutlery comprises a plurality of air vents. Alternatively, the spillresistant item of cutlery may comprise no air vents.

In an embodiment the spill resistant item of cutlery is arranged suchthat the tubular retaining portion terminates adjacent to the innerhandle portion for a compact arrangement and ease of grip location forthe user, whether the user is a carer or an infant or adultself-feeding.

BRIEF DESCRITPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute apart of the specification, illustrate embodiments of the disclosure andtogether with the detailed description herein, serve to explain theprinciples of the disclosure. The drawings are only for purposes ofillustrating preferred embodiments and are not to be construed aslimiting the disclosure. It is emphasized that, in accordance with thestandard practice in the industry, various features are not drawn toscale. In fact, the dimensions of the various features may bearbitrarily increased or reduced for clarity of discussion. Theforegoing and other objects, features and advantages of the disclosureare apparent from the following detailed description taken inconjunction with the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a side sectional view of a spill resistant item of cutlery, inaccordance with an aspect of the present disclosure;

FIG. 2 is a top view of the spill resistant item of cutlery of FIG. 1showing the detail of an air vent, in accordance with an aspect of thepresent disclosure;

FIG. 3 is a side view of the spill resistant item of cutlery of FIG. 1,in accordance with an aspect of the present disclosure;

FIG. 4 is an end view of the spill resistant item of cutlery of FIG. 1illustrating the opening into the device and cavity, in accordance withan aspect of the present disclosure;

FIG. 5A is a top view of an alternative embodiment of a spill resistantitem of cutlery having a balloon shaped tubular retaining portion, inaccordance with an aspect of the present disclosure;

FIG. 5B is an end view of an alternative embodiment of a spill resistantitem of cutlery having an elevated rib, in accordance with an aspect ofthe present disclosure;

FIG. 5C is a side sectional view of an alternative embodiment of a spillresistant item of cutlery having a tine, in accordance with an aspect ofthe present disclosure;

FIG. 5D is a top view of an alternative embodiment of a spill resistantitem of cutlery that includes a cuff, in accordance with an aspect ofthe present disclosure;

FIG. 6 is a side sectional view of the spill resistant item of cutleryof FIG. 5D having a food retaining cavity, in accordance with an aspectof the present disclosure;

FIG. 7 is a side sectional view of another alternative embodiment of aspill resistant item of cutlery that includes a detachable tubularretaining portion, in accordance with an aspect of the presentdisclosure; and

FIG. 8 is a lateral view of another alternative embodiment of a spillresistant item of cutlery, in accordance with an aspect of the presentdisclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

When introducing elements of various embodiments of the presentinvention, the articles “a,” “an,” “the,” and “said” are intended tomean that there are one or more of the elements. The terms “comprising,”“including,” and “having” are intended to be inclusive and mean thatthere may be additional elements other than the listed elements. Anyexamples of parameters are not exclusive of other parameters of thedisclosed embodiments. Components, aspects, features, configurations,arrangements, uses and the like described, illustrated or otherwisedisclosed herein with respect to any particular embodiment may similarlybe applied to any other embodiment disclosed herein.

Referring to FIG. 1, a spill resistant item of cutlery, or spoon, 100 isshown. The spill resistant item of cutlery 100 having a longitudinalaxis extending therethrough and as illustrated in FIG. 1. The device 100comprises a housing, a tubular retaining portion 101 proximate a firstend of the housing or longitudinally extending elongate member. Theelongate member has a gripping portion 106 proximate a second endopposing the first end. The device features the tubular retainingportion 101 comprising an interior retaining surface 104 defining aretaining portion cavity 103. The tubular retaining portion furthercomprises a food inlet F in fluid communication with the retainingportion cavity 103.

The spoon or spill resistant item of cutlery 100 includes an air vent102 located in the vicinity of the tubular retaining portion 101 andfoodstuff retaining portion of the device, at an angle providing airflow communication in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal axisof the spill resistant item of cutlery 100. In the illustratedembodiment the air vent 102 is a circular hole of substantially equaldiameter through the material comprising the tubular retaining portion101 to the interior retaining surface 104 and through to the retainingportion cavity 103.

FIG. 2 shows the gripping portion 106 that comprises the components of acentral inner handle gripping portion 105 surrounded and enveloped in anouter gripping portion 106 in FIG. 2. The combined apparatus of theinner handle gripping portion 105 surrounded and encompassed by theouter gripping portion 106 should be of one body such that the user canoperate and manipulate the handle as one tool. In the embodiment shown,the inner handle gripping portion 105 is made of a rigid material suchas a metal or hard plastic, with the outer gripping portion 106comprising a softer, less rigid second material, such as a flexibleplastic or rubber. The outer gripping portion 106 may feature anergonomic design and shape for ease of operation and handling. There maybe alternative sizes and shapes for different skills and sizes of user.In addition, and as illustrated in FIG. 3, the second end of the spillresistant item of cutlery 100 is rounded and smoothed to provide a safeand non-damage inflicting surface. The rounded end is arranged toprovide an ergonomic handle that is inviting to use and also provides nosharp edges or end which could cause damage while being used andoperated at a table or feeding area.

With reference to FIG. 1 and FIG. 4, the interior of the tubularretaining portion 101 is shown. The tubular retaining portion 101, asillustrated, is broadly cylindrical in shape. The tubular retainingportion 101 is open at one end, the so called food inlet F. The tubularretaining portion 101 is such that it defines a retaining portion cavity103 bounded by an interior retaining surface 104. The material of theentire portion 101 in the example here is silicone, durable, safe andflexible. The material should be food safe, suitable for cleaning anddrying, suitable for human and animal contact and durable and hardwearing, suitable for repeated use, wear and cleaning. For institutionalsettings and mass use the requirements for the material and thestructure to withstand industrial cleaning and drying should also beconsidered.

In alternative embodiments, an upper portion of the tubular retainingportion 101 may comprise a first material and a lower portion of thetubular retaining portion 101 may comprise a second material. The firstmaterial may be silicone and the second material may be plastic suchthat the first material is more flexible than the second material.

In the illustrated embodiment of FIG. 4, the interior retaining surface104 can be seen to comprise a plurality of elevations or ribs 104. Asset out previously, the rib structures are arranged so as to maximisesurface adhesion between a food stuff or puree present in the tubularretaining portion and the interior retaining surface 104. Theillustrated example in FIGS. 1 and 4 shows a series of abutting parallellongitudinal protrusions or ribs, extending along the interior retainingsurface 104 in a direction parallel and longitudinal relative to thelongitudinal axis of the spill resistant item of cutlery 100. In otherembodiments, the plurality of protrusions may comprise a plurality ofprotrusions extending in any direction along the interior retainingsurface. The protrusions or elevations may be set alongside or abuttingeach other, or may be spaced apart from the next elevation or rib.

In use the spill resistant item of cutlery 100 is held and gripped bythe user at the gripping portion 106 and the tubular retaining portionis dipped into a bowl or other container of food stuff, or is otherwiseloaded with a food stuff (for example a puree or a soft food). The foodstuff enters the retaining portion cavity 103 at F and the airpreviously occupying the volume of the cavity 103 is expelled and urgedout of the air vent 102. The food stuff adheres and surrounds theinterior retaining surface 104. In particular the food stuff sticks toand engages with the ribs 104 of the interior retaining surface 104. Thesurface adhesion of the ribs and the food stuff is sufficient to retainthe food stuff, within the tubular retaining portion 101, as the usermoves the spill resistant item of cutlery 100 from the bowl towards themouth. The surface adhesion of the ribs and the food stuff is sufficientto retain the food stuff, within the tubular retaining portion 101,during any sudden movement such as a jerking or playing movement or adistracted movement. Once the user places the spill resistant item ofcutlery 100 to their mouth or the mouth of the subject, the person oranimal to be fed, then the food is released into the mouth by a suckingor suckling action or otherwise mouthing at the tubular retainingportion 101. The food stuff previously occupying the volume of thecavity 103 moves into the mouth of the subject and air replaces thevolume removed through incoming air in through the air vent 102. Theloading and feeding operation can then be repeated. When in the mouthand squeezed by the lips and or tongue, food may be evacuated from thecavity 103 via both the open end and via the air vent 102, thus thebolus of food is released into the mouth.

After use, the tubular feeding portion can be cleaned and washed. Insome embodiments (not illustrated) the spill resistant item of cutlery100 can be separated into its component parts for washing, deep cleaningor sterilising.

Turning now to FIG. 5A, a top view of a spill resistant item of cutlery300 is shown in accordance with an alternative embodiment of the presentinvention.

The spill resistant item of cutlery, or spoon, 300 is substantiallysimilar to the spoon 100 in that the spoon 300 comprises a housing, atubular retaining portion 301 proximate a first end of the housing orlongitudinally extending elongate member. The elongate member comprisesa gripping portion 306 proximate a second end opposing the first end.The spoon features the tubular retaining portion 301 comprising aninterior retaining surface 304 defining a retaining portion cavity. Thetubular retaining portion further comprises a food inlet F in fluidcommunication with the retaining portion cavity.

The spoon 300 includes an air vent 302 located in the vicinity of thetubular retaining portion 301 and foodstuff retaining portion of thedevice, at an angle providing air flow communication in a directionperpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the spill resistant item ofcutlery 300. In the illustrated embodiment the air vent 302 is acircular hole of substantially equal diameter through the materialcomprising the tubular retaining portion 301 to the interior retainingsurface 304 and through to the retaining portion cavity.

The tubular retaining portion 301 further comprises a width. In theillustrated embodiment of the spoon 300, the width varies along thelongitudinal axis. The radius increases along a first portion of thelongitudinal axis and decreases along second portion of the longitudinalaxis such that the tubular retaining portion 301 is tear-drop or balloonshaped. The retaining portion cavity substantially matches the shape ofthe tubular retaining portion 301.

In a further alternative embodiment, FIG. 5B shows an end view of aspill resistant item of cutlery 400 in accordance with this alternativeembodiment of the present invention.

The spill resistant item of cutlery, or spoon, 400 is substantiallysimilar to the spoon 100 in that the spoon 400 comprises a housing, atubular retaining portion 401 proximate a first end of the housing orlongitudinally extending elongate member. The elongate member comprisesa gripping portion (not shown) proximate a second end opposing the firstend. The spoon features the tubular retaining portion 401 comprising aninterior retaining surface 404 defining a retaining portion cavity 403.The tubular retaining portion further comprises a food inlet F in fluidcommunication with the retaining portion cavity 403.

The spoon 400 includes an air vent (not shown) located in the vicinityof the tubular retaining portion 401 and foodstuff retaining portion ofthe device, at an angle providing air flow communication in a directionperpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the spill resistant item ofcutlery 400.

The tubular retaining portion 401 is broadly cylindrical in shape andcomprises a substantially circular cross-sectional shape. The tubularretaining portion 401, as illustrated, is open at one end, the so calledfood inlet F. The tubular retaining portion 401 is such that it definesa retaining portion cavity 403 bounded by an interior retaining surface404. The interior retaining surface 404 can be seen to comprise aplurality of elevations or ribs 404. The plurality of ribs 404 are aseries of abutting parallel longitudinal protrusions or ribs, extendingalong the interior retaining surface 404 in a direction parallel andlongitudinal relative to the longitudinal axis of the spoon 400.

As shown in FIG. 4, a rib 406 of the ribs 404 comprises a heightsubstantially greater than a height of the ribs 404. That is, the rib406 protrudes further towards a central longitudinal axis of the tubularretaining portion than the ribs 404. Alternative embodiments exist,wherein the rib 406 extends towards an axis offset from the centrallongitudinal axis. The illustrated rib 406 comprises a height greaterthan a radius of the circular cross-sectional shape of the tubularretaining portion 401. Embodiments may be envisaged, wherein the heightis less than the radius of the cross section. Further embodiments may beenvisaged wherein the height of the rib 406 varies along thelongitudinal axis. The surface area of the interior retaining surface404 is further increased, thereby increasing the surface adhesion andfurther increasing the bias for food items to remain within the tubularretaining portion 401.

There may be a plurality of ribs 406, wherein each may protrude towardsthe same, or different longitudinal axes. The ribs 406 may each comprisea different, or the same height.

With reference to FIG. 5C, a side sectional view of a spill resistantitem of cutlery 500 in accordance with another alternative embodiment ofthe present invention is shown.

The spill resistant item of cutlery 500, or spoon 500, is substantiallysimilar to the spoon 100 in that the spoon 500 comprises a housing, atubular retaining portion 501 proximate a first end of the housing orlongitudinally extending elongate member. The elongate member comprisesa gripping portion 506 proximate a second end opposing the first end.The gripping portion 506 comprises the components of a central innerhandle gripping portion 505 surrounded and enveloped in an outergripping portion 506.

The spoon also features the tubular retaining portion 501 comprising aninterior retaining surface 504 defining a retaining portion cavity 503.The tubular retaining portion further comprises a food inlet F in fluidcommunication with the retaining portion cavity 503.

The spoon 500 includes an air vent 502 located in the vicinity of thetubular retaining portion 501 and foodstuff retaining portion of thedevice, at an angle providing air flow communication in a directionperpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the spill resistant item ofcutlery 500. As shown in FIG. 5C, the air vent 502 is a circular or likehole of substantially equal diameter through the material comprising thetubular retaining portion 501 to the interior retaining surface 504 andthrough to the retaining portion cavity 503.

The tubular retaining portion 501 comprises a volume having asubstantially circular cross-sectional shape that has a radius.

The spoon 500 further comprises a longitudinally extending tine 508. Thetine 508 extends from an anterior end of the inner handle grippingportion 505 such that the tine 508 and the inner gripping portion 505constitute a single unified structure 508 protruding from a posteriorend of the tubular retaining portion 501 and extending towards ananterior end of the tubular retaining portion 501. Preferably, the tine508 extends longitudinally along a center of the cross-sectional shapeof the tubular retaining portion 501. Alternatively, the tine 508 mayextend longitudinally along any position of the cross-sectional shape.

In the embodiment disclosed, the tine 508 extends half of a length ofthe tubular retaining portion 501 such that a tip of the tine isproximate a center of the tubular retaining portion 501. Alternatively,the tine may extend any length of the tubular retaining portion.

The tine 508 is tubular in shape such that the tine 508 substantiallymatches the shape of the tubular retaining portion 501. A radius of thetine may decrease from a base of the tine to the tip of the tine. Otherembodiments exist, wherein the tine has any shape suitable for providinga surface area.

FIG. 5D shows a top view of a spill resistant item of cutlery 600 inaccordance with an alternative embodiment of the present inventioncomprising a cuff.

The spill resistant item of cutlery 600, or spoon 600, is substantiallysimilar to the spoon 100 in that the spoon 600 comprises a housing, atubular retaining portion 601 proximate a first end of the housing orlongitudinally extending elongate member. The elongate member comprisesa gripping portion 606 proximate a second end opposing the first end.The gripping portion 606 comprises the components of a central innerhandle gripping portion (not shown) surrounded and enveloped in an outergripping portion 606

The spoon also features the tubular retaining portion 601 comprising aninterior retaining surface 604 defining a retaining portion cavity 603.The tubular retaining portion further comprises a food inlet F in fluidcommunication with the retaining portion cavity 603.

The spoon 600 includes an air vent 602 located in the vicinity of thetubular retaining portion 601 and foodstuff retaining portion of thedevice, at an angle providing air flow communication in a directionperpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the spill resistant item ofcutlery 600. In the illustrated embodiment, the air vent 602 is acircular-like hole of substantially equal diameter through the materialcomprising the tubular retaining portion 601 to the interior retainingsurface 604 and through to the retaining portion cavity 603.

The tubular retaining portion 601 comprises a volume having asubstantially circular cross-sectional shape having a radius.

The spoon 600 further comprises a cuff 612. The cuff 612 is cylindricalin shape and comprises a hollow center such that a cross section of thecuff 612 is annular. The cuff 612 envelops a portion of an outer surfaceof the spoon 600. The cuff 612 comprises an indent 614 substantiallysimilar in shape to the air vent 602. The indent 614 is positioned suchthat air flow is possible between the air vent and the exterior. Thecuff 612 further comprises a depth extending orthogonally from theexterior surface of the spoon.

In some embodiments, the cuff 612 is rotatable. In such an embodiment,rotating the cuff 612 between a first position and a second positionallows for the air vent 602 to be substantially covered in the firstposition and substantially uncovered in the second position.

In an alternative embodiment, and with reference to FIG. 6, there isshown a side sectional view of a spill resistant item of cutlery 700 inaccordance with an alternative embodiment of the present invention. Theembodiment shown in FIG. 6 is substantially similar to the embodimentsshown in FIGS. 1 to 4, but differs in that the gripping portion 702 is apouch 702 comprising food retaining cavity 704. The food retainingcavity 704, which is substantially cylindrical in shape, comprises acavity volume, a posterior end 706 and an anterior end 708. Proximate tothe posterior end 706 of the food retaining cavity 704, there is asecond connection portion 710. Proximate the anterior end 708 of thefood retaining cavity 704, there is a food loading conduit 712,configured to facilitate the loading of food stuff into the foodretaining cavity 704. The food loading conduit 712 is sealable such thatit does not allow food stuff to escape the food retaining cavity 706 viathe food loading conduit 712. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 6, thepouch 702 is made of a compressible material.

Further, in the embodiment shown on FIG. 6, a tubular retaining portion720 is shown, substantially similar to the tubular retaining portion 101as shown in FIGS. 1 to 4. The tubular retaining portion 720 comprises afirst connection portion 722 proximate a retaining portion cavity 724.Both connection portions 722, 710 are substantially tubular in shape andextend along the longitudinal axis of their respective housings 702,724. The first connection portion 722 is aligned with the secondconnection portion 710 such that a channel is formed between theconnection portions 710, 722 so as to facilitate fluid communicationbetween the retaining portion cavity 724 and the food retaining cavity704.

In use, the food retaining cavity is filled with food stuff (for examplea puree or a soft food) via the food loading conduit 712 by, forexample, pouring the food stuff into the food loading conduit 712. Thefood loading conduit 712 is then sealed such that the food stuff cannotescape the food retaining cavity 704 via the food loading conduit 712.The gripping portion 702 is then squeezed, resulting in the compressionof the food cavity 704. Said compression leads to the cavity volume ofthe food retaining cavity 704 decreasing, thereby reducing the volume tosurface area ratio of the food retaining cavity 704. As a result, avolume of food stuff is ejected from the food retaining cavity 704 equalto the reduction in food retaining cavity volume (assuming the foodstuff occupied the full volume of the food retaining cavity). The foodstuff is ejected via the second connection portion 710 and the firstconnection portion 722, into the retaining portion cavity 724, due tothe fluid communication between the food retaining cavity 704 andretaining portion cavity 724.

The food stuff enters the tubular retaining portion 720 and the airpreviously occupying the volume of the cavity 724 is expelled and urgedout of an exit hole 726 and an air vent 728. The food stuff adheres andsurrounds the interior retaining surface of the cavity 724. Inparticular the food stuff sticks to and engages with the ribs 730 of theinterior retaining surface. The surface adhesion of the ribs 730 and thefood stuff is sufficient to retain the food stuff, within the tubularretaining portion 720, as the user moves the spill resistant item ofcutlery 700 towards the mouth. The surface adhesion of the ribs 730 andthe food stuff is sufficient to retain the food stuff, within thetubular retaining portion 720, during any sudden movement such as ajerking or playing movement or a distracted movement. Once the userplaces the spill resistant item of cutlery 700 to their mouth or themouth of the subject, the person or animal to be fed, then the food isreleased into the mouth by a sucking or suckling action or otherwisemouthing at the tubular retaining portion 720. The food stuff previouslyoccupying the volume of the cavity 724 moves into the mouth of thesubject and air replaces the volume removed through incoming air inthrough the air vent 728. The loading and feeding operation can then berepeated. When in the mouth and squeezed by the lips and/or tongue, foodmay be evacuated from the cavity 724 via both the exit hole 726 and viathe air vent 728, thus the bolus of food is released into the front ofthe mouth.

With reference to FIG. 7, shown is another alternative embodimentsimilar to the embodiment shown in FIG. 6, wherein the tubular retainingportion 820 is detachable from the pouch 802. In the embodiment shown,the pouch 802 and the tubular retaining portion 820 are separated.Within the first connection portion 822 of the tubular retaining portion820, there is an internal helical thread 902. Surrounding the secondconnection portion 810 of the pouch 802, there is an external screwthread 904 configured to engage with the internal helical thread 902.

In use, the second connection portion 810 is positioned inside the firstconnection portion 822 and a torque is applied by twisting the tubularretaining portion 820 (or by twisting the pouch 802). The internalhelical thread 902 engages with the external screw thread 904, causingthe tubular retaining portion 820 to attach to the pouch 802.

In a further embodiment (not shown), the gripping portion comprises aseal proximate the second connecting portion. In this way, the sealstops any food stuff contained within the food retaining cavity escapingvia the second connecting portion when the gripping portion and thetubular retaining portion are unattached. The tubular retaining portioncomprises a piercing member proximate the first connecting portion,configured to pierce the seal of the gripping portion following theattachment of the tubular retaining portion to the gripping portion. Inthis way, the attachment process may allow fluid communication betweenthe tubular retaining portion and the gripping portion.

FIG. 8 is a lateral view of a further example of a spill resistant itemof cutlery 900. The spill resistant item of cutlery 900 has no air ventand is substantially similar to the spill resistant feeding item ofcutlery 100 (See FIG. 1) in shape and outer construction.

The device 900 comprises a substantially tubular silicone outer portion910 and a tubular retaining portion 901 proximate a first end of theouter portion 910. The outer portion 910 has a gripping portion 906proximate a second end opposing the first end. The device 900 featuresthe tubular retaining portion 901 comprising an interior retainingsurface 904 defining a retaining portion cavity 903. The tubularretaining portion further comprises a food inlet F in fluidcommunication with the retaining portion cavity 903. The outer portion910 further comprises an annular protrusion 912, creating a passage 913.

The device 900 further comprises an inner portion 914 extending along aninterior of the outer portion 910. The inner portion 914 comprises forexample, a more rigid material than the outer portion 910 so as toprovide support to the more flexible outer portion 910. The innerportion comprises a head portion 916, a neck portion 918 and a baseportion 920. The head portion 916 comprises a plurality of grooves orindents 917. A maximum width of the head portion is greater than a widthof the passage 913, but less than a width of the tubular retainingportion 901. Adjacent to the head portion 916, the inner portion 914comprises the neck portion 918. The neck portion 918 comprises a neckwidth that is less than the width of the passage 913. Adjacent to theneck portion 918, and opposing the head portion 916, the inner portion914 comprises the base portion 920. The base portion 920 extendslongitudinally from the neck portion 918 to a posterior end of the innerportion 914. A width of the base portion 920 increases along thelongitudinal axis.

In use, the inner portion 914 and the outer portion 910 may beconnected/disconnected. Connecting or inserting may be achieved by apress-fit, push fit or a bayonet type fitting. That is, for example, theflexibility of the outer portion 910 allows for the head portion 916 topush through to a connected or disconnected configuration.

In the connected configuration, the grooves 917 create channels betweenthe inner portion 914 and the outer portion 910. The channels allowairflow out of the tubular retaining portion, thereby preventing abuild-up of negative pressure. The channels comprise a resistance thatis great enough to inhibit food items from passing through the channels.

It will be appreciated that the above described embodiments are given byway of example only and that various modifications thereto may be madewithout departing from the scope of the invention as defined in theappended claims. For example, the embodiments described relate to aparticular structure as illustrated however additional embodiments willbe appreciated wherein the feeding device is another channel arrangementwith various shapes, novelty or shaped structural features so as toencourage infant and assisted feeding. The embodiment described relatingto the helical thread and screw thread attachment means may be anyattachment means suitable for facilitating the attachment of the pouchto the tubular retaining portion. Any other threads or fits such as apush fit or a friction fit are possible. Additional embodiments existwherein the first connection portion comprises the external helicalscrew thread and the second connection portion comprises the internalhelical thread. The embodiment discussed is related to one type ofinfant feeding but other age groups or functions or clinical or indeedveterinary uses may be found for the feeding device. The shape andstructure may be modified for different grips, needs and foodstuffs. Theinvention may comprise the tubular retaining portion 101 only such thatthe tubular retaining portion 101 alone could be used independently ofthe handle and gripping portion.

It is to be understood that the above description is intended to beillustrative, and not restrictive. Numerous changes and modificationsmay be made herein by one of ordinary skill in the art without departingfrom the general spirit and scope of the invention as defined by thefollowing claims and the equivalents thereof. For example, theabove-described embodiments (and/or aspects thereof) may be used incombination with each other. In addition, many modifications may be madeto adapt a particular situation or material to the teachings of thevarious embodiments without departing from their scope. While thedimensions and types of materials described herein are intended todefine the parameters of the various embodiments, they are by no meanslimiting and are merely exemplary. Many other embodiments will beapparent to those of skill in the art upon reviewing the abovedescription. The scope of the various embodiments should, therefore, bedetermined with reference to the appended claims, along with the fullscope of equivalents to which such claims are entitled. In the appendedclaims, the terms “including” and “in which” are used as theplain-English equivalents of the respective terms “comprising” and“wherein.” Moreover, in the following claims, the terms “first,”“second,” and “third,” etc. are used merely as labels, and are notintended to impose numerical requirements on their objects. Also, theterm “operably connected” is used herein to refer to both connectionsresulting from separate, distinct components being directly orindirectly coupled and components being integrally formed (i.e.,monolithic). Further, the limitations of the following claims are notwritten in means-plus-function format and are not intended to beinterpreted based on 35 U.S.C. § 112, sixth paragraph, unless and untilsuch claim limitations expressly use the phrase “means for” followed bya statement of function void of further structure. It is to beunderstood that not necessarily all such objects or advantages describedabove may be achieved in accordance with any particular embodiment.Thus, for example, those skilled in the art will recognize that thedevices described herein may be embodied or carried out in a manner thatachieves or optimizes one advantage or group of advantages as taughtherein without necessarily achieving other objects or advantages as maybe taught or suggested herein.

While the invention has been described in detail in connection with onlya limited number of embodiments, it should be readily understood thatthe invention is not limited to such disclosed embodiments. Rather, theinvention can be modified to incorporate any number of variations,alterations, substitutions or equivalent arrangements not heretoforedescribed, but which are commensurate with the spirit and scope of theinvention. Additionally, while various embodiments of the invention havebeen described, it is to be understood that aspects of the disclosuremay include only some of the described embodiments. Accordingly, theinvention is not to be seen as limited by the foregoing description, butis only limited by the scope of the appended claims.

This written description uses examples to disclose the invention,including the best mode, and also to enable any person skilled in theart to practice the invention, including making and using any devices orsystems and performing any incorporated methods. The patentable scope ofthe invention is defined by the claims, and may include other examplesthat occur to those skilled in the art. Such other examples are intendedto be within the scope of the claims if they have structural elementsthat do not differ from the literal language of the claims, or if theyinclude equivalent structural elements with insubstantial differencesfrom the literal language of the claims.

I claim:
 1. A spill resistant item of cutlery, the spill resistant itemof cutlery comprising: a longitudinally extending elongate membercomprising; a tubular retaining portion proximate a first end thereof;and a gripping portion proximate a second end opposing the first end;wherein the tubular retaining portion comprises an interior retainingsurface defining a retaining portion cavity, and wherein the tubularretaining portion further comprises a food inlet in fluid communicationwith the retaining portion cavity.
 2. The spill resistant item ofcutlery of claim 1, wherein the interior retaining surface comprises aplurality of elevations.
 3. The spill resistant item of cutlery of claim2, wherein the plurality of elevations is configured in a rib-likepattern.
 4. The spill resistant item of cutlery of claim 2, wherein theplurality of elevations comprises a plurality of longitudinal ribs. 5.The spill resistant item of cutlery of claim 2, wherein each of the oneor more of the plurality of elevations comprise a height.
 6. The spillresistant item of cutlery of claim 1, wherein the food inlet isproximate an anterior end of the tubular retaining portion.
 7. The spillresistant item of cutlery of claim 1, wherein the food inlet is arrangedto facilitate loading of food or removal of food.
 8. The spill resistantitem of cutlery of claim 1, wherein the tubular retaining portioncomprises a cross sectional shape having a radius varying along alongitudinal axis.
 9. The spill resistant item of cutlery of claim 1,wherein the food inlet extends at an angle along the tubular retainingportion.
 10. The spill resistant item of cutlery of claim 1, wherein thefood inlet comprises a circumference.
 11. The spill resistant item ofcutlery of claim 1, wherein the spill resistant item of cutlery furthercomprises an air vent.
 12. The spill resistant item of cutlery of claim11, wherein the air vent is proximate a posterior end of the tubularretaining portion.
 13. The spill resistant item of cutlery of claim 9,wherein the air vent comprises a circular, ovular or slit shapedopening.
 14. The spill resistant item of cutlery of claim 9, wherein theair vent is arranged to allow air to exit the tubular retaining portion.15. The spill resistant item of cutlery of claim 9, wherein the air ventextends at an angle, from the tubular retaining portion to an exterior,along the longitudinal axis.
 16. The spill resistant item of cutlery ofclaim 1, wherein the tubular retaining portion comprises alongitudinally extending tine.
 17. The spill resistant item of cutleryof claim 1, wherein the gripping portion comprises: an inner handleportion; and an outer gripping portion.
 18. The spill resistant item ofcutlery of claim 1, wherein the gripping portion further comprises: afood retaining cavity comprising: a cavity volume; an anterior end; anda posterior end.
 19. The spill resistant item of cutlery of claim 17,wherein the inner handle portion comprises the food retaining cavity.20. The spill resistant item of cutlery of as claimed in claim 18,wherein the food retaining cavity and the retaining portion cavity areprovided in fluid communication.
 21. The spill resistant item of cutleryof claim 1, wherein the tubular retaining portion further comprises afirst connection portion proximate the anterior end of the tubularretaining portion.
 22. The spill resistant item of cutlery of claim 18,wherein the food retaining cavity further comprises a second connectionportion proximate the anterior end of the food retaining cavity.
 23. Thespill resistant item of cutlery of claim 1, wherein the tubularretaining portion further comprises an attachment means, wherein theattachment means is configured to facilitate the attachment anddetachment of the tubular retaining portion from the gripping portion.24. The spill resistant item of cutlery of claim 23, wherein thegripping portion further comprises a food loading conduit proximate theposterior end of the food retaining cavity, wherein the food loadingconduit is configured to facilitate the loading of food into the foodretaining cavity.
 25. The spill resistant item of cutlery of claim 17,wherein the inner handle portion comprises a first material and theouter gripping portion comprises a second material, and wherein therigidity of the first material is greater than the rigidity of thesecond material.
 26. The spill resistant item of cutlery of claim 25,wherein the first material is compressible.
 27. The spill resistant itemof cutlery of claim 1, wherein the tubular retaining portion is at leastpartially made of a flexible material.
 28. The spill resistant item ofcutlery of claim 25, wherein the outer gripping portion is made of aflexible material.
 29. The spill resistant item of cutlery of claim 27,wherein the tubular retaining portion terminates adjacent to the innerhandle portion.
 30. The spill resistant item of cutlery of claim 1,comprising a plurality of tubular retaining portions.